First National Bank of Houston, Texas

Abstract

This project consists of the bank building itself, a tall office block and a garage. The bank building has a ground area of 58x37.5 m. Within its main hall arrangement has been found for 111.25 m of main counters, 36 consulting apartments, 75 tables for bank clerks, and there are two glass partitioned corridors leading to the office block. The main hall of the bank is connected with a basement level by means of escalators. In this lower level the strong room and the security services are conveniently situated. The interior has been decorated with fine materials, and their colours and textures have been successfully integrated. The counters, on their vertical face, are finished in dark granite, and their horizontal surface is light coloured marble. The flooring surface, which extends continuously beyond the outer walls, is beige coloured terrazzo: it has well defined jointing lines, filled with black plastic material. The consulting section of the bank is covered with a cream coloured carpet, and the tables, which were designed by the architects, are made in stainless steel and teak. The ceiling constitutes a rectangular pattern of 912 squares, each containing an aluminium truncated pyramidal shape, at the base of which the sources of illumination are situated. The total building has been designed imposingly and a number of interesting structural and decorative features adds to its impact on the visitor.